Title:

Massachusetts Drug Threat Assessment Update

Publication Date: May 2003

Document ID: 2003-S0377MA-001

Available Massachusetts Assessments:
  2003 Update: May 2003
  2002 Update: April 2002
         Original: April 2001

Archived on:  January 1, 2006. This document may contain dated information. It remains available to provide access to historical materials.

This report is a brief update to the Massachusetts Drug Threat Assessment, which is a strategic assessment of the status and outlook of the drug threat to Massachusetts. Analytical judgment determined the threat posed by each drug type or category, taking into account the most current quantitative and qualitative information on availability, demand, production or cultivation, transportation, and distribution, as well as the effects of a particular drug on abusers and society as a whole. While NDIC sought to incorporate the latest available information, a time lag often exists between collection and publication of data. NDIC anticipates that this update will be useful to policymakers, law enforcement personnel, and treatment providers at the federal, state, and local levels. 

The April 2002 Massachusetts Drug Threat Assessment Update and the April 2001 Massachusetts Drug Threat Assessment are available on NDIC's web site www.usdoj.gov/ndic or by contacting the NDIC dissemination line at 814-532-4541.

Your questions, comments, and suggestions for future subjects are welcome at any time.  Addresses are provided at the end of the page.
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Contents

Overview

Heroin

Cocaine

Marijuana

Other Dangerous Drugs
  Club Drugs
  Diverted Pharmaceuticals

Methamphetamine

Outlook

Sources 

List of Tables 

Table 1. Drug-Related Treatment Admissions to Publicly Funded Facilities, Massachusetts, 2000-2001
Table 2. Drug-Related ED Mentions per 100,000 Population, Boston and United States, 2001
Table 3. Percentage of Drug-Related Federal Sentences by Drug Type, Massachusetts and United States, FY2001

Overview

 Massachusetts.

The distribution and abuse of illicit drugs and diverted pharmaceuticals pose a serious threat to Massachusetts. Massachusetts is a distribution center for illicit drugs, particularly heroin, destined for northern New England. The state's proximity to New York City as well as its well-developed transportation infrastructure make it an ideal transshipment point for drugs, particularly heroin, destined for Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Heroin--primarily low cost, high purity South American heroin--poses the most serious drug threat to the state. Heroin-related treatment admissions accounted for 50 percent of all the admissions for drug and alcohol abuse treatment in 2001. Cocaine, both powdered and crack, also poses a significant threat to Massachusetts, as it is readily available, often abused, and frequently associated with violent crime in the state. Marijuana is the most readily available and commonly abused illicit drug in Massachusetts. The availability and abuse of other dangerous drugs, principally MDMA and diverted pharmaceuticals, pose an increasing threat to the state. Methamphetamine production, distribution, and abuse pose a low threat to Massachusetts.

Addresses

National Drug Intelligence Center
319 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901

Tel. (814) 532-4601
FAX (814) 532-4690
E-mail NDIC.Contacts@usdoj.gov

Tel. (703) 556-8970
FAX (703) 556-7807

Web Addresses

ADNET:  http://ndicosa 
      DOJ:  http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/
      LEO:  home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic/ 

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